Harem Scarem – Live at the Phoenix

Frontiers Records - December 4th 2016

If you aren’t familiar with Harem Scarem but love classic Melodic Rock with powerful songs, melodies to die for and enough real class to stand well ahead of the pack then this career-spanning double live CD/DVD is a great introduction to the band. Hell if you just love great music Harem Scarem is one of those undiscovered gems you will love.

Sadly as we got a streaming link to the album to review it’s only my love of the band that gets a write-up. Sadly sat at a computer is not my usual way of enjoying music and streaming on a phone is an anathema so this is a review from first listen only on a computer with shitty speakers and I’m sure it doesn’t do justice to the actual product.

Initially the sound quality is rather poor (could be the stream, might not be, could be the computer, might not be) the intro is also completely pointless and first track ‘Garden of Eden’ from the latest album sounds pretty poor mix-wise. Thankfully things do get better and as the older classics get an airing you do get carried away.

There are plenty of songs from the debut and perhaps their finest album ‘Mood Swings’ and a great representation from the latest album, which really does show the enduring class and quality of the band who are still creating music of the same high quality that they always have.
Sadly we are unable to comment on the DVD. As far as the audio goes though – what you get here is 20 great songs and a great introduction to a band who sound as good today as they ever have.